On Sept. 28, the seventh annual NEXT NIGHT Festival brought an estimated 5,000 people from all generations of the community together for an evening of food and activities. This year’s electric carnival theme came to life with rides, game booths and live music as the sun went down on South Beverly Drive between Gregory Way and Charleville Boulevard. The festival was hosted by the Next Beverly Hills Committee, which represents the next generation of Beverly Hills, but it incorporated fun for all ages, including a performance by the English ‘80s band Bow Wow Wow and a beer garden in the middle of the block.
The event was free to attend, and residents came and went at their own pace, some taking a stroll down the street and others making an evening of it. As the sunset, more people arrived, and the festival started to feel more like a giant block party. Parents helped their children to a slice of pizza and couples served themselves at a sidewalk taco station. City staff mingled with residents as they danced to ABBA tribute band, The Fabba Show. Beverly Hills Unified School District students caught up with teachers and staff at their schools’ booths and had a chance to connect outside of the classroom.
Festival Chair Tiffany Davis explained that the casualness of the festival sets it apart from other city events. “The energy at NEXT NIGHT is hard to describe, but there’s definitely a difference,” she told the Courier. “People enjoy multiple events in this city from the art show to National Night Out where you can see everyone’s enjoying themselves, but there’s something about NEXT NIGHT that is just on a different level of joyfulness.” She likened it to a small-town street festival, adding that, unlike other events, NEXT NIGHT is really meant for the community.
Young children enjoyed an excuse to run around outside, and many of them took part in the festival’s kid-friendly activities, including a mini-manicure booth, a sports court and a carousel. At the sports court, children shot hoops at the basketball booth and practiced their kicking skills at the soccer booth. Teens danced to live music by DJ Zen Freeman and shopped the many promotions businesses offered up and down the street.
The event also provided a chance for members of the community to connect in a more casual setting as the city anticipates upcoming somber events, such as the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. “It was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy live music, delicious food, fun activities and share in the community spirit,” wrote Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian in an Instagram caption. “Events like NEXT NIGHT are such great community builders, and it was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
The Next Beverly Hills Committee was established in 2015 to engage the next generation of leaders through initiatives that address the lifestyle, economic, and civic needs of those in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
